PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) is working with the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure boaters are aware of many complaints from stakeholders about vessels with high masts mooring just outside of the yellow buoys in Maho Bay to observe the landing aircrafts at Princess Juliana International Airport.
The high masts pose a hindrance to landing aircraft on Runway 10. The Department of Civil Aviation, Shipping and Maritime Affairs has on several occasions had to call the Coastguard to escort vessels from the area.
While vessels are allowed to navigate and anchor outside of the yellow buoys in Maho Bay, the Civil Aviation Authority wants the cooperation of boaters in staying clear of the approach area for airplanes landing at the airport, especially if they are sailboats, because of the potential danger their masts pose to the aircraft. If boaters do not cooperate with this request of the Civil Aviation Authority, they will be forced to move the yellow buoys further out in the bay.
SMMTA Board has forwarded the official letter from the Civil Aviation Authority to all of its members by e-mail and thanked Louis Halley of the Department for working with SMMTA and all stakeholders to help resolve this issue. “The SMMTA appreciates the open lines of communication with Mr. Halley and his team and we will do our best to help get the message out about not anchoring in the approach area for landing aircraft.”
